A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises a valve flap disposed in the housing and rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. A mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway and attached to the valve flap. The mass damper includes end portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the end portions with the intermediate portion having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the end portions. The mass damper is positioned proximate an inner surface of the housing and positioned between the valve flap and the housing when the valve flap is at the second position.

The invention comprises a flapper check valve assembly in which a flapper coated with an elastomeric seal is pivotably attached to a swing arm, and further in which the swing arm is pivotably attached to a retainer ring permitting two degrees of freedom of motion. The retainer ring is mounted in a check valve body. A novel mounting of the flapper to the swing arm ensures the flapper seals the pipeline against backflow.

The invention comprises a flapper check valve assembly in which a flapper coated with an elastomeric seal is pivotably attached to a swing arm, and further in which the swing arm is pivotably attached to a retainer ring permitting two degrees of freedom of motion. The retainer ring is mounted in a check valve body. A novel mounting of the flapper to the swing arm ensures the flapper seals the pipeline against backflow.

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises a valve flap disposed in the housing and rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. A mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway and attached to the valve flap. The mass damper includes end portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the end portions with the intermediate portion having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the end portions. The mass damper is positioned proximate an inner surface of the housing and positioned between the valve flap and the housing when the valve flap is at the second position.

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve flap and a mass damper. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve flap is disposed in the housing and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway. The mass damper is attached to the valve flap and comprise of a material having a high density. The mass damper is shielded from the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas passageway when the valve flap is in the second position.

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve flap and a mass damper. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve flap is disposed in the housing and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway. The mass damper is attached to the valve flap and comprise of a material having a high density. The mass damper is shielded from the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas passageway when the valve flap is in the second position.

A link couples a support body and a valve body in a first arrangement where a first link-forming member is rotationally movably supported by the support body and in which a second link-forming member is rotationally movably supported by the valve body. The link includes: a link length that is a length of the first link-forming member, as measured between a rotation axis with respect to the support body and a rotation axis with respect to the second link-forming member; and a link length that is a length of the second link-forming member, as measured between a rotation axis with respect to the valve body and a rotation axis with respect to the first link-forming member. The link lengths differ from each other. The link is also configured to enable coupling between the support body and the valve body in a second arrangement inverted with respect to the first arrangement.

A link couples a support body and a valve body in a first arrangement where a first link-forming member is rotationally movably supported by the support body and in which a second link-forming member is rotationally movably supported by the valve body. The link includes: a link length that is a length of the first link-forming member, as measured between a rotation axis with respect to the support body and a rotation axis with respect to the second link-forming member; and a link length that is a length of the second link-forming member, as measured between a rotation axis with respect to the valve body and a rotation axis with respect to the first link-forming member. The link lengths differ from each other. The link is also configured to enable coupling between the support body and the valve body in a second arrangement inverted with respect to the first arrangement.

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.